We are pleased to share the Alpine Endurance Team’s report on their preparations 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend.
After setting the fastest time in qualifying practice and Hyperpole 1, the #35 Alpine A424 driven by Ferdinand Habsburg, Charles Milesi and Antonio Felix da Costa will start from third place on the grid.
Also qualifying for Hyperpole 1, the #36 sister car driven by Frédéric Makowiecki, Jules Gounon and Victor Martins will start from 13th place on Saturday at 4.00 pm.
Following Test Day, Alpine Endurance Team focused on analysing the data collected on Sunday before returning to the track for the first official free practice sessions. From Wednesday onwards, the team began its programme aimed at fine-tuning the Alpine A424’s setup whilst continuing to check the various systems and mechanical components.
The end of FP1 was marked by a minor off for Frédéric Makowiecki coming out of the Esses de la Forêt. The mechanics’ quick response and efficiency enabled the French team to field both of their Hypercars in qualifying practice. Ferdinand Habsburg [#35] and Frédéric Makowiecki [#36] were tasked with the session, in which only the top 15 drivers advanced to Hyperpole 1. Aggressive and focused, the Austrian stood out with the best time of 3m23.135s whilst his team-mate finished tenth.
At dusk, Alpine Endurance Team completed its first night session of the week in FP2. The six drivers continued their thorough preparation whilst gradually getting to grips with driving in the dark, particularly Victor Martins, who was driving in these conditions at Le Mans for the first time.
On Thursday afternoon, the FP3 session was spent studying long stints and analysing the Michelin tyres ahead of a qualifying simulation. A few hours later, Charles Milesi and Jules Gounon took to the track again for Hyperpole 1. Jules Gounon saw his final attempt compromised by a rival, but was able to provide a slipstream for Charles Milesi, who put the #35 car atop the table with a time of 3m23.018s. In 13th place, Jules Gounon missed out on Hyperpole 2 by just 0.131s.
In accordance with this year’s new regulations, the third member of each crew qualified for Hyperpole 2 took to the track. Shod with soft tyres, António Félix da Costa completed his first two laps in 3m25.083s and 3m23.854s before finishing his session in 3m23.620s to lift the #35 car to third place on the grid.
The day ended with the last free practice session, during which the two crews fine-tuned and validated their final adjustments ahead of the race.
Today (Friday), the drivers will be in the city centre of Le Mans for the traditional parade. The next track session will take place at midday on Saturday for the warm-up, ahead of the start of the 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at 4:00 pm.
